Thread ceremony of Adi

September 10, 2016

These days when you use the term wedding photography its the word ‘candid’ is fashionably slipped next to it. Its another thing if it indeed is candid wedding photography is questionable. (hey, don’t shoot me for my sarcasm!) However the new age photography of documenting the event now loosely termed as “CANDID” can be for any occasion. So when my dear friend Saimaa asked me to document her beloved son’s thread ceremony, I was more than happy to oblige. Quiet frankly I was sold thee moment she promised me a traditional south Indian sadya on banana leaf.

For those who don’t know what exactly is a thread ceremony click here for a detailed explanation. In short this is a ceremony in Hindu religion celebrating the coming of age of a young boy to a man.

Adi’s grandmother helping him wear the veshti. Don’t miss the belt which is important to ensure that it doesn’t fall off.

Adi’s uncles put a garland around his neck at the beginning of the puja.

Some interesting objects used in the puja ceremony.

A barber is called to cut the boys hair, traditionally the hair on the head is shaved leaving a few strands of hair at the back. This is slightly modified to suit modern days.

Symbolically a few hair strands are shaved now.

After a bath, Adi’s aunts help him get dressed to look pretty for part 2 of the ceremony

And uncles help him with a garland and carry him to the place where pooja will continue…

Once the pooja was done I took aside three of them for a few family pictures. Clearly Adi’s expression says it all when I ask the parents to be a tiney bit romantic.

The father son duo are clearly ready to chill and get it over it with.